Kaman Music bought by FMIC (Fender)

[dannymusic]

Hamer, Ovation, Takamine, Genz Benz and more now under the Fender Music umbrella.

What does that mean to the Ball Family?

global musician reaction is all over the map.

 

[TNT]

". . . .What does that mean to the EB family??

Not completely sure, but I think I understand some; however, enlighten me if you have good solid insight. Hopefully, there's a good side of it for EB!!

 

[mesadualrec]

Im sure the Ball Family will be fine

they are a legacy in themselves they dont no fender to run them.


Im sure BP will keep his Company just the way it is

 

[glockaxis]

Possible drop in quality of Kaman products due to the transition, especially w/ new workers coming in. It all depends on what the actual deal involves. I wouldn't think it would really affect EBMM any more or less than it currently does.

I would have never guessed Kaman would sell out to Fender. I guess they are still keeping their non-musical divisions, right? I'll research it some more.

 

[brett8388]

FMIC has messed up Jackson IMO. This can't be good.

 

[JohnnyD19]

Possible drop in quality of Kaman products due to the transition, especially w/ new workers coming in. It all depends on what the actual deal involves..

Ovation Guitars, LP and Toca hand percussion products, Gibraltar Hardware, Genz Benz Amplification, Hamer Guitars, and is the exclusive U.S. sales representative for Sabian Cymbals, and exclusive worldwide distributor of Takamine Guitars and Gretsch Drums. all of these are now going to be owned by fender its a monopoly if you ask me. its like the yankees in baseball (sorry to the New York fans)

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I have mixed feelings on this.

While I think it is great that a company as large as Fender wanted to purchase the music division for $117M, Kaman Music has a warehouse based in Bloomfield, CT which is only 15 miles from here (they also have warehouses in Tennessee & California). It's nice being able to place an order up until 3:00 or 4:00 and receive it the next day; and having the ability to go pick it up ourselves to save on shipping costs is always nice. I would hate to see the warehouse move, and since the music division is located adjacent to or on Kaman Aerospace property, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Fender relocate it.

 

[glockaxis]

Maybe prices will go up for pre-fender items. Just think, if I wanted to sell my Custom Legend, I could always advertise it as "Pre-Fender, the glory days of Ovation, before the company sold out and quality was guaranteed." Ha Ha Ha. It's like Gibson buying the Kramer name, Steinberger name and in addition to many others, the Garrison name. They may look the same but that's where the similarities end.

 

[Big Poppa]

This is an interesting transaction. ON the surface it is really a good move for Fender. If the speculation is correct they are struggling a little (doing 400 milion is now called struggling..funny eh) but the prevailing talk on the street s the the gibson epiphone deal is crushing most....

I can tell you that unlike Gibson with Garrison Im sure that Fender will honor the hamer and ovation warranties....Gibson just announced that they wouldnt honor garrisons warranties....wow

Fender is run and controlled by guys from the venture capital/financial world....I think that a consolidation of more brands to get the sales up may may the play of going public more attractive for the investment world.

As for Kaman they are a fine distributor and ovation has slipped pretty much so fender boughtthe distribution busines and some great names of sourced products

It doesnt affect us one bit.

 

[TNT]

Thanks BP for the insight!!!

Oh, and just a note: If by chance you are approached by Gibson, Fender, PRS, or anyone else to BUY Musicman, remember - tell them, "it is NOT for sale at any price!!!"



Please?????

 

[mesadualrec]

I just have to say I really like Fender Products and as do many here,But I love my Balls more,I love the way the company is run here,everything about this company is what I really love in guitar companies


The thing We have to think about now is that Fender is NO longer run by 'Players' these guys arent like BP who go out and gig and really know what the 'customer/player' really wants needs and demands from their instrument and I think thats a Huge difference and a Notable difference!!


You just cant beat playing with balls is what it comes down to if that means your own your friends,shop assistant of Big Poppa's!!

Everyone buy balls

 

[Jim_F]

Which is why in my opinion companies like Ernie Ball are increasingly more valuable and relevent in a corporate - driven world where quality all too often takes a back seat to spreadsheets ...

 

[Thornton Davis]

The folks at Genz Benz are quite excited about this. They were owned by an aerospace company who knew nothing about the music industry. Now with Fender's backing and understanding of the music industry, Genz Benz will be able to continue to develope new products much sooner than they originally planned.

I'm told that FMIC will not play any roll in day to day operations of Genz Benz. They are going to allow GB to run as a independant company which means the management at GB will continue to run the company as they have been. Apparently, this is the first time FMIC has agreed to this. It was a condition of the purchase agreement.

TD

 

[dannymusic]

It doesnt affect us one bit.

THATS what I wanted to hear.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Yikes my beautiful Takamine is now a Fender!

 

[Big Poppa]

better burn it!

 

[RitchieDarling]

I met Charlie Kaman once. He seemed like a kind fellow.

It was at a military weapons expo....

He had just upgraded the Sea Sprite helicopter.

Nice guy.

R

 

[Multiversal]

I was a Jackson player for quite a while.. and I remember when Fender bought Jackson. Lots of promises were made to the loyal customers. Those promises weren't kept. Quality went way way down, prices went up, and I stopped playing Jackson.

 

[Big Poppa]

I have no idea how this will play out On the surface it makes sense....Kaman is an helocopter and aerospace company and now that the Kaman family is no longer there it doesnt fit. There is no passion form the aero guys. There are some really nice and talented people there....But whenever a company gets bought the first thing the buyer says is "We bought this company because of the people....forst people usually fired anre those previously lauded newcomers.....Maybe not this time but you can kind of set your watch to it the the business world.

 

[TNT]

Funny how business' "from different sides of the business world", purchase companies "so unlike themselves". What does that initially tell you!